Textbook 7D.7

[Eileen Quach Dis 2A]

I was wondering for 7D.7 part c, why does raising the temperature increase the rate constant of the forward reaction even more than it does for the rate constant of the reverse reaction?

[Lily Kiamanesh 2G]

Hi! When the temperature is raised, it affects the rate constant of the reaction with the higher energy barrier (activation energy) more than that of reactions with lower energy barriers. Therefore, for this problem, the reaction is endothermic, and the forward reaction has a higher activation energy than the reverse reaction, so its k increases more.

[Katherine_Douglas_1F]

Think about which side of the reaction is exothermic and which is endothermic. Because, in this case, the forward reaction is endothermic and heat is, essentially, a reactant, increasing the heat will have a greater effect on the forward reaction. It will still have an effect on the reverse reaction, however, because adding heat speeds up all processes.